Wednesday, February 15, 2012

We saw it tonight, and I have a feeling I may be in the minority with my feelings concerning it.

This movie did not resonate with me like I expected it would. It was quite intense but then how could it not be since it was about a little boy who lost his Dad in 9/11. I thought it would bring back some of what I watched my 4 sons go through 15 years ago.

Dennis thought the young boy was a brat. I have to admit he didn't quite get into my heart either, not at first anyway. As we were walking out to the car after the movie, Den said to me, "I know grieving to a child must be horrible and I don't want to minimize that, but your boys didn't go through it like that did they?"

Den didn't even know us then, but still I had to agree with him. As awful as it was for all of us, our experience was not so in alignment with this movie. However I stopped him and said, "But, unlike the movie, my boys were never told things like "He's never coming back! It's over. You will never see him again. It's over!" as the kid in the movie was told by his Mom in her attempt to get him to heal and move on.

I do remember one very well-meaning friend of ours stopping by one night shortly after their father died and I think he said some similar things. But my boys' knowledge of the afterlife blew his words right out their heads.

I came away from this movie thinking how awful it must be to grieve with no hope. To think this life is IT. No more. That's it. If someone dies, well it's over and they are gone forever. I have never had those feelings. I don't even know what it would be like to live with such dismal beliefs.

I don't remember God even being mentioned in this movie. If He was mentioned it was not with much substance. If this movie is any reflection of what is really going on in this crazy world, well then, no wonder it's so crazy out there.

It probably sounds like I didn't like this movie. Actually I did! The acting was excellent. Thought provoking messages for sure. But it was also difficult watching a child struggle so fiercely with nothing real to hold onto. My heart hurt for him. I found myself wanting my sons to talk to him. They would understand him. But they would also teach him about hope, and life everlasting. Somebody needs to.

It was hard to see how much the boy was suffering. Especially when he "lost it." But the acting was incredible. Best child actor I've ever seen. He actually was not an actor at all. He was a champion on Jeopardy at age 8 I believe. How he mastered that dialog was amazing to me. Susan

Hill and I went to see this last week. We absolutely loved it, though we both wished we had had more kleenex!! It was a very moving story, and I am not sure everyone catches that he had been tested for "Herschberger's Disease", I think that's how it's spelled or even the right name... but that is a form of Autism. He is a fine actor and carried the whole movie on his back. I also see how it could be too much for some, and I believe Hill and I needed a good cry last week so it was exactly what the doctor ordered for us!! :) I agree totally with you about there were things in the movie that should have been left out. And I too feel sad for those who do not have the gospel of Jesus Christ to help them through in times of sorrow!! I could not survive without the knowledge I have of the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement and eternal life!! Thank you for your thought provoking blog!!

You're not kidding when you say how awful it would be to be in this world with no hope. I can certainly see your boys teaching not just that boy but everyone around them about HOPE & HEALING. It always surprises me to see you post that you guys go to the movies. LOL I can't remember the last time I saw a movie with just G. I think we have gone once with our kids in the last 12 years!

BUt I do love the critique because we get Netflix & see tons of movies so knowing your "take" on it gives me an idea! Thx.

I agree with you one hundred percent. I haven't seen the movie but I've been meaning to. And I think my reaction to the movie would be the same sadness at thinking of that child with such a hopeless, helpless, frustrating burden to carry. No heart should be laden with such misery, especially not the heart of a child. And especially when it's so unnecessary.Love and Prayers,Eileen

"Charity is accepting someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped...The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people..."-Marvin J. Ashton